Holmes Miller has been granted planning permission for a new Passivhaus community campus in Faifley, West Dunbartonshire
The Passivhaus community campus will bring together two primary schools, a nursery, and additional support needs (ASN) facilities while also offering a range of community amenities, including a library.
The new campus’s design adheres to Passivhaus’s standards, which are recognised in the industry for energy efficiency. The design also complies with the Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standards set by the Scottish Government.
The community campus will be built with sustainability in mind
The Passivhaus community campus will have low energy requirements for heating and cooling, resulting in reduced operational costs and lower carbon emissions.
“We’ve designed the new Campus as a sustainable and inclusive facility that will provide the people of Faifley not only with a high-quality educational building but also indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities for all ages that will enhance lives,” said Ruaridh Nicol, associate at Holmes Miller.
“We’ve taken on board the views of local people while designing the campus, and hope that the end result will be a building which the whole community can be proud of,” he added.
The development has been partly funded by the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Improvement Programme and delivered through hub West Scotland on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council.
The community campus will help the local community by providing educational and community services under one roof.
The new campus will replace existing schools such as St Josephs and Edinbarnet primary schools, Auchnacraig and Lennox early learning and childcare centres, and the Skypoint community centre.
Modern facilities for the local community
Modernised facilities will make the campus more accessible and will lead to lower maintenance and operational expenses. A new sports hall and all-weather outdoor pitch will be available to community sports groups outside of regular school hours.
The community campus will also feature community allotments, an arrival plaza, a forest school area, and a biodiverse garden. The architectural and colour choices for the facility take inspiration from the nearby Cochno Stone, a significant rock adorned with Bronze Age carvings.
“While the current buildings have served the community well, I am pleased to see this approved at Planning, and we can now take forward the new learning and community facilities which will be a real improvement for the young people and community of Faifley,” said Cllr O’Neil, chair of West Dunbartonshire Council’s Planning Committee.
“I am keen to see work starting on this project which will not only be welcomed by children and young people, but the community facilities that will replace the current Skypoint building will be a well-used resource for use by the residents of Faifley and beyond,” he concluded.
